A much-changed Chelsea side secured the second victory of their Champions League campaign with a dominant 5-1 victory over 10-man Ajax.
The Dutch were faced with a straight red card when Kenneth Taylor was shown a red card, with the Blues punishing them with goals from Mac Guiu, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao and Tyrique George, with Wout Weghorst scoring the visitors’ only goal.
Despite having a player advantage for much of the match, it was an encouraging evening for many of the Blues’ second row after Enzo Maresca made 10 changes for the drubbing at Stamford Bridge.
The win keeps Chelsea within reach of the top eight, with two wins in three games so far.
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Chelsea vs Ajax as it happened
The Blues’ first chance against a disciplined away side came in the 13th minute when Guiu was found with a lovely ball over the top, but veteran goalkeeper Remko Pasveer was alert enough to come off his line to thwart the young striker, who was making his first Chelsea start since January.
The face of the match changed considerably a few minutes later when Taylor received a straight red card for a high challenge on the ankle of Fernando Buonanotte.
Seconds later, Ajax’s misery was compounded when Wesley Fofana headed the ball towards goal for the unmarked Guiu to comfortably guide the hosts in front, signaling what looked to be a long night ahead for the visitors.
Just 10 minutes later, Chelsea were in complete control when the brilliant Jamie Gittens found Moises Caicedo, who fired from distance before a deflection wrong-footed Pasveer to double their advantage.
John Heitinga’s men would, however, have the chance to claw their way back into the game from nowhere when Tosin committed a clumsy foul in the box on Raul Moro, allowing former Manchester United striker Weghorst to halve the deficit.
But the striker was in the thick of the action at the other end of the pitch after bringing down Gittens with a reckless challenge before the break, with the returning Enzo Fernandez finding the net to restore Chelsea’s two-goal lead.
There was still time for the third penalty of an eventful half when Youri Baas stood on the back of Estevao’s foot and this time Enzo handed the responsibility to the Brazilian, who slotted home an emphatic penalty to score his first Champions League goal.
The hosts took just three minutes to make it five after the break when substitute Tyrique George latched onto a loose ball before his effort found the net via another deflection.
The rest of the half was something of a procession for Chelsea, with Estevao continuing to pose a threat, missing the target after a fantastic cross from George before forcing a powerful save from Pasveer from distance.
It was still a night where Estevao showed off his extraordinary talent, with the 18-year-old unable to connect with a daring bicycle kick.
Chelsea vs Ajax line-ups
Chelsea: Jorgensen; Caicedo, Fofana, Tosin, Hato; Lavia, Fernandez; Estevao, Good night, Gittens; Guiu.
Submarines: Sanchez, Merrick, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Walsh, Santos, Neto, Garnacho, Kavuma-McQueen, George.
Ajax: Pasveer, Rosa, Itakaru, Moro, Taylor, Gloukh, Godts, Baas, McConnell, Weghorst, Sutalo
Submarines: Jaros, Heerkens, Gaaei, Regeer, Edvardsen, Klaasen, Konadu, Mokio, Fitz-Jim, Alders, Bundia
